Banking & Finance
UK Bar Guide 2025 : London (Bar)
Band 3
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
020 7696 9900About
Provided by South Square
South Square is a leading banking and finance set with a significant international reach, often instructed by magic circle law firms. Our barristers are adept in high-stakes banking and financial litigation, including cases of market-wide significance, such as the Adler restructuring plan and the Madoff fraud-related litigation.
The set's members handled a comprehensive range of banking and finance issues, including advisory work and complex disputes involving mis-selling, derivatives, and structured finance. They have a track record of involvement in major litigation at various appellate levels.
Chambers Review
South Square remains a popular choice for clients seeking assistance with a broad spectrum of financial matters. The set is noted for its prowess in insolvency-related disputes, with barristers regularly bringing their expertise to bear in major domestic and international litigation. Members of chambers are also highly proficient at advising on claims of fraud, bribery and debt recovery. Commentators report that the "top-notch" set has a "strong bench of varied experience".
Dylan Playfoot is the senior clerk.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The clerks are very responsive and knowledgeable."
"The clerking team is absolutely helpful."
"The clerks are always responsive and are clear communicators."
"The clerks are very responsive and knowledgeable."
"The clerking team is absolutely helpful."
"The clerks are always responsive and are clear communicators."
Notable Practitioners
David Allison KC is noted for handling the most complex of cases. He is highly adept at handling matters relating to mis-selling claims, asset and bond disputes and derivative issues. He frequently acts in cases with offshore aspects, sometimes involving the courts of the BVI, the Cayman Islands, Hong Kong and the Middle East.
"David is excellent: intellectually a mastermind, thoughtful and commercial."
"David is an outstanding advocate and a first-rate practitioner."
"David is excellent. Not only does he have an iron grip on relevant law and issues, he understands the commercial drivers in a matter."
"David is an extremely effective advocate. He's very clever and quick, and has the trust of the court because of his deep expertise."
Tom Smith KC is an accomplished silk with expertise in a wide array of financial and insolvency disputes at all levels of court, both domestic and offshore. He is experienced in handling issues for funds, liquidators, asset managers and other financial institutions.
"He is extremely responsive and is on top of all the issues in the case."
"He always gives strong advice."
"He has excellent judgement."
Georgina Peters is a strong junior with expertise in acting for a wide range of domestic and international banks and financial institutions. She acts both led and unled in cases concerning swaps disputes, ISDA-related matters and securitisation issues.
"She is a very diligent, hard-working and gifted lawyer. She is invariably right in her advice."
"Georgina has a keen eye for the detail."
Daniel Bayfield KC is an impressive performer who is an expert in both banking and insolvency cases. He has strong knowledge of restructuring matters related to financial institutions, and has appeared in Court of Appeal matters in this sphere. He is also frequently instructed in matters involving international elements.
"Daniel is really easy to work with."
"He is good at anticipating issues, and helps manage the client. He worked well with our team and the wider team."
Jeremy Goldring KC is an accomplished advocate with a strong reputation in a number of fields, including company law, insolvency, and banking and finance. His practice in the last of these focuses primarily on issues related to loans, securitisation and derivatives.He frequently acts in cases in offshore jurisdictions.
"His written advocacy is excellent."